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Education

Many of the issues facing our country are extraordinarily complex and nuanced. In order to understand these policy issues and the various perspectives around them, elected leaders, government staff, the public, industry, and nonprofits must first have an objective basic knowledge that is rooted in fact. Center Forward’s Basics series presents complicated issues in a non-partisan and easy-to-understand manner.

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Proposals for Labor Reforms in the 119th Congress

Workforce

After decades of partisan gridlock on labor issues, new proposals are reshaping the conversation in Congress, this time with new voices at the table. 

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Improving Safety and Efficiency at U.S. Rail Grade Crossings 

Climate & Sustainability Infrastructure

A key intersection of rail and road activity lies in the nation’s highway-rail grade crossings, which present ongoing challenges for both safety and efficiency.

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Tobacco Harm Reduction

Health Care

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute, nearly 480,000 Americans die from smoking-related causes each year, resulting in $240 billion in direct healthcare costs and $360 billion in lost productivity due to smoking-related illness and premature death. This Basic will explore alternatives to smoking as a form of harm reduction.

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Climate and Sustainability in 2025: Progress, Pressure, and the Path Ahead

Climate & Sustainability Infrastructure

As of 2025, the effects of rising global temperatures are being felt more acutely, from unprecedented weather events to ecological disruption and socio-economic stress. This Basic explores the current state of climate and sustainability, highlighting key developments in global temperature rise, the shift to renewable energy, and corporate accountability, while addressing the emerging hurdles coming into play.

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The 2025 Farm Bill: Challenges, Extensions, and Priorities

Climate & Sustainability Food & Beverage

The Farm Bill is a comprehensive, multiyear statute overseeing various agricultural and food initiatives. The previous Farm Bill’s sections covered a spectrum of areas, including backing for farm commodity revenue, agricultural preservation, international trade and food aid, farm financing, research, rural progress, forestry, bioenergy, horticulture, and domestic nutritional support, U.S. food and energy production, land conservation, nutrition, and wellness programs. We review in our latest Basic what the Farm Bill is and how it impacts the lives of Americans.

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Shareholder Proxy Process and Proxy Advisors

Financial Services

Each year, publicly traded corporations hold an annual meeting of shareholders. During these meetings, investors can vote on various issues, including board members, the company’s auditor, and executive pay. Most annual meetings occur in the spring because of the proximity to when companies release their earnings. However, before any of these meetings take place companies are required by the SEC to file a proxy statement.

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Powering AI: The Energy Demands of Data Centers

Energy & Utilities Intellectual Property Technology

Since the release of generative artificial intelligence (AI) models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity, American businesses, consumers, and the federal government have rapidly integrated these tools into their daily operations. This widespread adoption has increased attention to the substantial computing power required to train and run AI systems. Unlike traditional computing tasks, training advanced AI algorithms requires immense processing power and vast data, making it significantly more energy-intensive. As AI models grow more complex, the data centers that support them consume more electricity, placing mounting pressure on the strained U.S. electricity grid. Expanding the grid’s capacity to meet this new demand will take years—if not decades—prompting industry leaders and policymakers to seek alternative solutions. Without proactive measures to address this growing demand, regions with high concentrations of data centers—such as Northern Virginia, California, and Texas—could face rising utility costs and, potentially, rolling blackouts. On-site mini-grids and alternative energy sources can alleviate data centers’ burden on the grid, promoting their energy security and reliability.

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The State of Women’s Health in 2025: A Policy Brief

Health Care

May, Women’s Mental Health Month and Maternal Health Month, serves as a poignant reminder of the multifaceted challenges shaping women’s health. Lawmakers and experts are searching for solutions to align incentives, enhance access, and foster an ecosystem that improves outcomes.

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